Bible Baptism and the Blood of Christ

By John Isaac Edwards

Bible baptism and the blood of Christ go together. They are so closely related that one is of no value without the other. This writing is designed to help us see the connection between Bible baptism and the blood of Christ.

1. For The Remission Of Sins. In instituting the Lord’s supper, Jesus declared, “For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins” (Matt. 26:28). Why did Jesus shed his blood? For the remission of sins. On the day of Pentecost, Jews convicted of sin asked, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” (Acts

2:37). They were instructed, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins . . .” (Acts 2:38). Why be baptized? For the remission of sins.

2. Washes Away Sins. Revelation 1:5 records, “Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood.” How is a person washed from his sins? In the blood of Christ. On the road to Damascus, the Lord told Saul of Tarsus, “Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do” (Acts 9:6). In the city, Saul was told, “And now why tarriest thou? Arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord” (Acts 22:16). According to this verse, how is a person washed from his sins? By being baptized. Therefore, in order for a person to have his sins washed away by the blood of Christ, it is absolutely essential that he be baptized. If not, why not?

3. Saves. Bible baptism and the blood of Christ are both said to have saving power. Paul wrote, “Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him” (Rom. 5:9). The blood saves. But, baptism is also said to save. Jesus said, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved” (Mark 16:16). The apostle Peter penned, “The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us . . .” (1 Pet. 3:21).

4. Connecting Bible Baptism With the Blood of Christ. Paul reminded the Romans, “Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?” (Rom. 6:3). It was in his death that Jesus shed his blood (John 19:34). Bible baptism puts us into contact with the blood of Christ by putting us in his death where he shed his blood. It is in Bible baptism that a person reaches the blood of Christ and receives the remission of sins, has his sins washed away, and is saved. See the connection?

A failure to see the connection between Bible baptism and the blood of Christ has caused some to overlook the importance of Bible baptism. Have you been baptized?